RF Guru

VerticalVortex2 — An active E-Probe for the LowBands — 1.5 MHz - 10 MHz

Name: VerticalVortex2 — An active E-Probe for the LowBands — 1.5 MHz - 10 MHz
Brand: RF Guru
Price: 279.0 EUR
Availability: InStock

€279,00 EUR

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Tax included.

Options 6M 35mm OD Marine grade aluminium (2mm thick) No pole

Product variants

Quantity

Free Service
If you order coax cables together with connectors, we’ll crimp the connectors for free before shipping.

Handmade & Lead Time
All our products are handmade, and fulfilment times may vary depending on order volume. Please allow 2–3 weeks for your order to be completed and shipped.

Listen to our SDRs

Hear the VerticalVortex and our other antennas live on remote SDRs.

Included

VerticalVortex active E-probe head
RVS mounting plate
Bias-T (13.8 V) — F-type to SMA
Short SMA-to-BNC cable

Optional

6 m × 35 mm marine-grade aluminum pole + protective cap
RVS Ground Peg (with F bulkhead) and RX Line Isolator
F-connectors & 75 Ω RG-6 coax
VerticalVortex Radials — ~4×2 stabilizers wires for above poor soil

US Mast Reference

Recommended US-sourced tube
For customers sourcing their own radiator in the US, a close match to the supplied 6 m × 35 mm OD × ~2 mm wall marine tube is:
• 6061-T6 or 6063-T52 aluminum
• OD: 1-3/8 in (≈34.93 mm) • Wall: 0.083 in (≈2.11 mm) • Length: ~20 ft (≈6.1 m)
Ask for “1-3/8 in OD × 0.083 in wall × 20 ft 6061-T6 (or 6063-T52) aluminum tube” at OnlineMetals, Metal Supermarkets, or local marine/awning shops.

About the VerticalVortex

VerticalVortex is a low-band HF active E-probe optimized for 160 m, 80 m, 60 m, and 40 m. Intended for ground-mount use, it combines high sensitivity and low self-noise with robust behavior near strong transmitters. Practical coverage spans LF/HF up to ~30 MHz, with broadcast suppression and a positive TX-mute action built in.

Key Features

TX sense & hard mute: RF detector drives a relay that shorts the probe to ground during TX; protection diodes clamp any residual RF.
High-linearity front end: wideband low-noise gain stage tailored for 160–40 m dynamic range.
Limiter + pad: input limiter followed by an attenuator keeps the chain in its linear region near big signals.
Front-end filtering: compact LC sections provide broadcast-band suppression and HF shaping before gain.
Clean output: transformer-coupled output to the F-connector with ESD protection.
Power path: 13.8 V via bias-T, reverse-polarity diode, transient protection, RF choke, and local ~10 V rail with ample decoupling.
QRO-friendly: designed for operation near transmitting antennas (maintain sensible separation).
Array-ready: works standalone or in phased RX arrays (QuadraTus-compatible).

Technical Overview
Full specs, protection layers, and measurements: VerticalVortex Technical Overview.

For best common-mode rejection, use an RX line isolator near the antenna and a second before the coax enters the shack. Ground the feedline at the mast base (the RVS peg simplifies this).

Mini-FAQ

Which bands is it for? Designed for 160/80/60/40 m, usable across LF/HF up to ~30 MHz.
Can I run it near a TX antenna? Yes—TX sense shorts the probe during transmit; still keep reasonable spacing.
How do I power it? 13.8 V through the included bias-T; the head regulates locally to ~10 V.
Do I need radials? The VerticalVortex includes options for above poor soil; our stabilizers kit (4×2 m) improve consistency on poor soil.
Noise control tips? Use line isolators (antenna end + shack entry) and ground the braid at the mast base.